Exegesis, eisegesis, narcigesis

Exegesis vs eisegesis, the difference and what is “narcigesis”?

Exegesis means “to draw out”. Biblical exegesis is the process of interpreting the Bible by a careful, objective analysis and coming to conclusions by following the text. The aim is to discover the true meaning of the text, to expose what is there.
The specific techniques used in the exegesis of scriptures are usually referred to as “hermeneutics”.

The opposite is eisegesis which means “to lead into”. This is based on a subjective reading: the interpretation is done by inputting ideas (leading them) into the text and making the text say whatever we want it to say. The aim is to make a point, to impose something that is not there.

Another term, less official but in recent use is narcigesis: the process of interpreting Scripture in a very subjective way, showing excessive interest in oneself and advancing one’s own ideas. The term is a combination of the terms narcissism and eisegesis.

For more see:

What is the difference between exegesis and eisegesis?
What is good biblical exegesis?
What is narcigesis?
on Gotquestions.org